Top Texas Winery 2025 Announced!

WINESAWARDSTEXAS
Written By By Kelly Doherty

Just announced by the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo…

Kiepersol wins the “Top Texas Winery” saddle for 2025!

What an honor to be selected as Top Texas Winery in a vast field of excellent wineries. We are so blessed to be a part of the growing Texas wine industry and raise a glass to all Texas wineries. First and foremost, we thank God for His blessings and continually strive to give glory to Him.

Thank you to everyone who makes these precious wines possible from growing the grapes and harvesting, to winemaking, bench trials, bottling, and sales projections to everyone involved in direct sales and promotions and all our support staff that makes this possible! Amazing winemaking Michelle Snider and Alex Lee!

We entered six wines and all six medaled and contributed to the saddle win.

Here are the medals for 2025:

  • Barrel No. 33 - Gold, Reserve Class Champion, Texas Class Champion

  • Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold, Texas Class Champion

  • Power - Silver, Reserve Class Champion, Texas Class Champion

  • Syrah - Silver, Texas Class Champion

  • Flight - Bronze

  • Steen - Bronze

Until the end of this year, we are still Top Texas Winery for 2024. Come see the saddle at the Grand Room and if you want to check out which wines won for 2024, here’s that blog post.

About the Rodeo Uncorked! Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Thirteen winners were selected out of 2,876 entries from 20 countries by a panel of over 120 industry expert judges. This prestigious event draws top wine producers from around the world, making the selection process a true reflection of the exceptional quality of the wines showcased. The panel of 122 esteemed judges, consisting of industry experts and connoisseurs, meticulously evaluated a diverse selection of wines across multiple categories, including red, white, sparkling and dessert. Each wine was carefully assessed based on factors such as aroma, taste, appearance, and overall balance.

Of the 2,876 entries, 965 brands were included from around the world. The countries with the most entries were United States, Italy, France and Argentina. Of the total, 558 entries came from Texas wineries and 314 entries came from the 2025 featured region, Napa County.

Check out this link for all 13 saddle winners. 🏆 Cheers to Excellence in winemaking across the globe.

Kelly Doherty is the Branding and Marketing Director of Kiepersol. A photographer, graphic designer, and writer at heart, the winery and vineyard are the inspired backdrop for Kelly’s creative endeavors. 

She holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, and loves talking about wine.

By Kelly Doherty

Kelly Doherty is the Branding and Marketing Director of Kiepersol in Tyler Texas. She has been with the estate since its inception in 1998 creating the brand from the ground up, literally helping plant the first Cabernet and Sangiovese vines. 

A photographer, graphic designer, and writer at heart, the winery and vineyard are the inspired backdrop for Kelly’s creative endeavors. She designs the website, runs the social media team, and hosts a vineyard blog. She is a wine and spirits packaging expert with over 25 years of designing eye-catching classic and timeless designs.

She holds a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and is in the midst of the exciting journey of Level 3. Teaching and giving behind-the-scenes tours on the estate are her passion. You can also find her creating wine pairing dinners with chefs across the state.

Her other adventures include life coaching and podcasting. Kelly is the creator of the ‘Drink a Little’ podcast that explores the possibilities intertwined in the world of wine and wellness. Each week a different wine from around the world is tasted and paired with a conversation about creating a balanced and abundant life without overdrinking.

*Kiepersol is a Texas wine and culinary destination with a vineyard, winery, distillery, steak house, fifteen B&B rooms, and even an RV Park located in the countryside ten miles south of Tyler, Texas. Kiepersol has recently won the Top Texas Winery Award from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition of 2024.

kellydoherty.com

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